Guard provides protection from incoming attacks by granting additional health. Guard must be broken before a target will take damage. Certain abilities (such as an upgradedShield Bash) and items allow for increased damage against guard. Guard resets to zero after travelling to another region.

Barrier, like guard, provides protection from damage from incoming attacks and has a finite protection amount. Unlike guard, barrier effects slowly dissipate until they are no more. Various mage abilities can increase the strength and duration of barrier effects. Certain abilities and items give bonuses to damage done to barriers.